Temperature controlled container

ABSTRACT

A temperature controlled container comprising: 
     an inner housing member defining a cavity, wherein at least a portion of the inner housing member comprises phase change material for regulating a temperature inside the cavity within a predetermined temperature range; 
     an outer housing member configured to accommodate and thermally insulate the inner housing member; and
     a content holding unit configured to be removably accommodated inside the cavity of the inner housing member, wherein the content holding unit is configured to hold an object to be stored or transported.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of temperature-controlled containersand, in particular to portable temperature-controlled containers forstoring and transporting temperature-sensitive medication, food, ordrink.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Many medications that are prescribed to be taken by a patient on a dailyor regular basis must be maintained within a certain temperature rangein a temperature-controlled environment. If the temperatures of thesemedications are not maintained within a certain range, the potency andstability of the medications may be compromised, which may lead tosevere health risks of the patient. Examples of medication that requireto be maintained within a certain temperature range include insulin,antibiotics, allergy serums, vaccines, penicillin, etc. In particular,insulin, which must be administered at least daily to diabetic patients,usually needs to be maintained at a temperature under 25° C.

This presents an issue for patients, especially those with chronicdiseases, those requiring long-term treatment, and/or those that travelfrequently. Hence, there is a need for temperature-controlled containerswhich are capable of maintaining medicine within a desired temperaturerange. For example, for patients who are diagnosed with diabetes ormultiple sclerosis, an adequate supply of required medication for thenecessary time needs to be transported and stored under suitableconditions. In these situations, the use of a simple box of ice fortransport may not provide the desired temperature control. It istroublesome for the patients to have to ensure with the lodgings aheadof time that a refrigerator can be provided to store the necessarymedication, and, in some cases, this may not be easily provided, inparticular in developing countries or remote parts of the world.

Insulated containers have been available for transporting insulin andother similar temperature-sensitive medications during travel. Forexample, a type of these containers relies on the use of blocks of dryice or frozen gel packs contained inside a compartment of the container,which in turn rely on refreezing using a freezer compartment of arefrigerator. As another example, containers which utilize electricalrefrigeration may be used. However, if a patient travels to a remotelocation where electrical power is absent or scarce, this type ofcontainer may lose its functionality easily.

There is thus a need for a self-contained, compact, and portabletemperature-controlled container for storing and/or transporting objectsthat require temperature control, such as medication, food, or drink.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As noted above, there are a number of limitations associated withexisting approaches for providing a temperature-controlled container. Itwould thus be valuable to have an improved temperature-controlledcontainer for storing and/or transporting an object which overcomes theexisting problems.

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention, there isprovided a temperature-controlled container. The temperature-controlledcontainer comprises an inner housing member defining a cavity, whereinat least a portion of the inner housing member comprises phase changematerial for regulating a temperature inside the cavity within apredetermined temperature range; an outer housing member configured toaccommodate and thermally insulate the inner housing member; and acontent holding unit configured to be removably accommodated inside thecavity of the inner housing member, wherein the content holding unit isconfigured to hold an object to be stored or transported.

In some embodiments, the outer housing member may comprise at least oneof: a vacuum insulated panel, a vacuum portion, aerogel material,expanded polyurethane, expanded polystyrene, and polyisocyanurate.

In some embodiments, the inner housing member may be removablyaccommodated inside the outer housing member. In these embodiments, theinner housing member may comprise at least one of: a flexible material,a deformable material, and a plurality of separable parts.

In some embodiments, the content holding unit may further comprise atleast one of a hook member and an eyelet member.

In some embodiments, the content holding unit may be configured suchthat when it is accommodated inside the cavity of the inner housingmember, an air gap is maintained between the content holding unit and aninner surface of the inner housing member.

In some embodiments, the content holding unit may be configured to holda fluid or a fluid-like material.

In some embodiments, the content holding unit may comprise an elasticholding unit. In these embodiments, the holding unit may be configuredto hold the object to be stored or transported when in a biased state,and to release the object to be stored or transported when in anunbiased state. Also, in these embodiments, the elastic holding unit maybe in a biased state when the content holding unit is inside the cavityof the inner housing member.

In some embodiments, the content holding unit may comprise at least oneof: solid polymer, metal, ceramic, and glass.

In some embodiments, the content holding unit may comprise a protectivelayer. The protective layer may comprise at least one of: metallizedfoil material, polymer foam material, and elastomer material.

In some embodiments, the container may be configured to be separableinto two parts to allow access to the cavity of the inner housingmember.

In some embodiments, the temperature-controlled container may furthercomprise an opening and a covering element configured to allow access tothe opening of the container and inside the outer housing member. Inthese embodiments, the covering element may comprise a first removableportion and a second removable portion. The first removable portion maybe configured so as to only allow access to the cavity of the innerhousing member when removed, and the second removable portion may beconfigured so as to allow access to inside the outer housing member whenremoved. The content holding unit may be attached to the coveringelement such that when the covering element is removed from the rest ofthe container, the content holding unit is removed together with thecovering element. The inner housing member may comprise an elasticelement configured to store elastic energy in an initial state, whereinupon actuation the elastic element is configured to release the storedelastic energy to push the content holding unit out of the opening ofthe container. The covering element may comprise at least one of: aninner vacuum portion, a vacuum insulated panel, aerogel material, phasechange material, expanded polyurethane, expanded polystyrene, andpolyisocyanurate. In addition, the covering element may comprise atleast one of: a hook member, a handle, an eyelet member, and a texturedsurface.

In some embodiments, the temperature-controlled container may furthercomprise at least one temperature sensor configured to measure atemperature inside the container.

In some embodiments, the temperature-controlled container may furthercomprise a display unit configured to display information relating to astatus of the container. The information relating to a status of thecontainer may comprise at least one of: a measured temperature insidethe container, an estimated preservation time of the object to be storedor transported, a number of times the container is opened, an estimatedamount of remaining time for maintaining the temperature inside thecavity within the predetermined temperature range, and a phase of thephase change material of the inner housing member.

In some embodiments, the temperature-controlled container may furthercomprise a cooling unit configured to reduce the temperature inside thecavity. The cooling unit may be configured to be removably accommodatedinside the container.

In some embodiments, the predetermined temperature range may be 2° C. to8° C.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided aprocessor for use with the temperature-controlled container according tothe first aspect as described above. The processor is configured to:acquire, from the container, information relating to at least one of astatus of the container and a use history of the container; generate atleast one of an alarm and an indication relating to at least one of thestatus of the container and the use history of the container, based onthe acquired information; and provide at least one of the alarm and theindication to a user.

In some embodiments, the acquired information relating to at least oneof a status of the container and a use history of the container maycomprise a current location of the container. In these embodiments, theprocessor may be configured to provide information relating to a nearbymedical facility based on the current location of the container.

The temperature-controlled container may for example be provided with atubular inner housing member with an open top end and an open bottomend, wherein the outer housing member comprises an open bottom endallowing removal of the inner housing member. After removal the innerhousing member can be cooled before re-use.

To close off the open ends of the inner and outer housing members, thecontainer may for example comprise a bottom closure, e.g., to bereceived in a matching cylindrical collar, e.g., by means of a bayonetcatch or any other suitable connection means.

The container may further comprise a top covering element for closingoff the open top ends of the inner housing member and the outer housingmember to protect and isolate the cooled contents. The top coveringelement can for example be received in a matching cylindrical collar,e.g., by means of a bayonet catch or any other suitable connectionmeans.

The bottom closure and/or the top covering element may compriseinsulating parts closing off the interior of the inner housing member.Such insulating parts of the bottom closure and/or the top coveringelement comprises a phase change material. This ensures that the contentholder is completely enveloped by the phase change material.

To optimize heat distribution, the temperature-controlled container maycomprise at least one spreader in thermally conductive contact with thephase change material. Such a spreader can for example be embedded inthe phase change material.

Such a spreader can for example comprise a metal mesh or plate.

According to the aspects and embodiments described above, thelimitations of existing techniques are addressed. In particular,according to the above-described aspects and embodiments, an improvedtemperature-controlled container is provided such that it is possible tostore or transport temperature-sensitive objects in a simple, yeteffective, manner. There is thus provided an improvedtemperature-controlled container, which overcomes the existing problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the embodiments described herein, and toshow more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will nowbe made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a temperature-controlled containeraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a temperature-controlled container and aprocessor according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic diagrams of an assembledtemperature-controlled container and a dissembled temperature containerrespectively, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an implementation of atemperature-controlled container according to another embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing different statuses of thetemperature-controlled container of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an implementation of atemperature-controlled container according to another embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing different statuses of thetemperature-controlled container of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an implementation of atemperature-controlled container according to another embodiment;

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing different statuses of thetemperature-controlled container of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an implementation of atemperature-controlled container according to another embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing different statuses of thetemperature-controlled container of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an implementation of atemperature-controlled container according to another embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing different statuses of thetemperature-controlled container of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing different states of atemperature-controlled container according to another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing different states of atemperature-controlled container according to another embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing different states of atemperature-controlled container according to another embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing different states of atemperature-controlled container according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing different states of atemperature-controlled container according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment of a temperature-controlledcontainer;

FIG. 15 shows the container of FIG. 14 in longitudinal cross section;

FIGS. 16A-16D show consecutive steps of assembling an outer housingmember of the container of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 shows a bottom closure of the container of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 shows a further alterative embodiment;

FIG. 19 shows the content holding unit of the container of FIG. 18;

FIGS. 20A-20D show a further alternative embodiment in different statesof use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As noted above, there is provided an improved temperature-controlledcontainer and a processor for use with a temperature-controlledcontainer.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a temperature-controlled container 100according to an embodiment. The temperature-controlled container 100(herein referred to as “the container”) comprises an inner housingmember 110, an outer housing member 120, a content holding unit 130, anda covering element 140. The container 100 may be compact and portable,and in some embodiments the dimensions of the container 100 may be basedon a plurality of factors, such as the temperature properties of theobject to be stored or transported by the container and an intended useof the container 100.

The inner housing member 110 defines a cavity, and at least a portion ofthe inner housing member 110 comprises phase change material forregulating a temperature inside the cavity within a predeterminedtemperature range.

A phase change material (PCM) is a substance with a high heat of fusionwhich, upon melting and solidifying at certain temperatures, is capableof storing and releasing large amounts of energy. Within a certaintemperature range, solid-liquid PCMs perform somewhat like conventionalstorage materials—their temperature rises as they absorb heat. However,unlike conventional storage materials. When such PCMs reach their phasechange temperatures, i.e. melting point temperature, they absorb largeamounts of heat without a significant rise in temperature. When theambient temperature around a liquid material falls, the PCM solidifies,releasing it stored latent heat. Certain PCMs store 5 to 14 times moreheat per unit volume than conventional storage materials such as iron,masonry, or rock. This property can be harnessed to regulate thetemperature of an environment or object for an extended time. Hence, inthe embodiments described herein, the phase change material of the innerhousing member utilizes this property in order to regulate thetemperature inside the cavity of the inner housing member 110. In someembodiments, the temperature-regulating property of phase changematerial of the housing member 110 is used for providing a passivecooling function to the container 100. In these embodiments, with theappropriate amount of phase change material in the housing member 110,the container 100 may be able to provide a passive cooling function forat least 24 hours.

The temperature range regulated inside the cavity of the inner housingmember 110 may be predetermined based on a plurality of factors, such asan intended purpose of the container 100 (e.g. whether it is for thestorage of medication, or other items such as breastmilk) and atemperature range of an environment in which the container 100 is to beused, etc. For example, in some embodiments where the container 100 isfor the storage of insulin, the predetermined temperature range may be2° C. to 25° C. In other embodiments, the predetermined temperaturerange may be anywhere between −5° C. to 50° C., for example in someembodiments the predetermined temperature range may be 2° C. to 8° C. Itwill be appreciated that other predetermined temperature ranges may beused. The inner housing member 110 may comprise at least one of: aflexible material, a deformable material, and a plurality of separableparts.

The outer housing member 120 is configured to accommodate and thermallyinsulate the inner housing member 110. In some embodiments, the outerhousing member 120 may comprise at least one of: a vacuum insulatedpanel, a vacuum portion, aerogel material, expanded polyurethane,expanded polystyrene, and polyisocyanurate.

In some embodiments, the inner housing member 110 may be removablyaccommodated inside the outer housing member 120. This will be explainedin more detail with reference to FIG. 4B, for example.

The content holding unit 130 is configured to be removably accommodatedinside the cavity of the inner housing member, and it may comprise atleast one of: solid polymer, metal, ceramic, and glass. The contentholding unit 130 is further configured to hold an object to be stored ortransported. For example, the content holding unit may be configured tohold a medicinal product or a food/drink item. The content holding unit130 may be configured to hold a fluid or a fluid-like material, such asbreast milk, bulk medication, and gases (e.g. tracer gas sulphurhexafluoride), heterogeneous solutions (e.g. Ferrofluid), and/or solidmaterial such as sand and sawdust, and/or pelletized material such as apolymer. The content holding unit 130 may be provided in the form of aplastic bracket is some embodiments.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the content holding unit 130 maycomprise at least one of a hook member and an eyelet member, so as toallow the content holding unit 130 to be extracted from the containermore easily by a user. In these embodiments, the at least one of a hookmember and an eyelet member may be arranged adjacent to an opening ofthe container, e.g. at a top of the content holding unit 130, so as toallow the user to grip the at least one of the hook member and theeyelet member for extraction of the content holding unit 130.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the content holding unit 130 may beconfigured such that when it is accommodated inside the cavity of theinner housing member 110, an air gap is maintained between the contentholding unit 130 and an inner surface of the inner housing member 110.The air gap serves as a further insulation layer between the object heldin the content holding unit 130 and an external environment of thecontainer 100.

Although not shown in the drawing, in some embodiments the contentholding unit 130 may further comprise an elastic holding unit. Theelastic holding unit may be configured to hold the object to be storedor transported when in a biased state, and to release the object to bestored or transported when in an unbiased state. For example, theelastic holding unit in some embodiments may be provided in the form ofa spring-loaded bracket, an elastic band, or an elastic clip forsecuring the object to be stored or transported at the content holdingunit 130. In some embodiments, the elastic holding unit may be in abiased state when the content holding unit 130 is inside the cavity ofthe inner housing member 110. Hence, when the content holding unit 130is not inside the cavity of the inner housing member 110, i.e. when thecontent holding unit 130 is extracted out of the container 100, theelastic holding unit may be configured to release the object.

Although also not shown in the drawing, in some embodiments the contentholding unit 130 may comprise a protective layer. The protective layermay comprise at least one of: metallized foil material (e.g. aluminizedfoil material), polymer foam material (e.g. polyethylene foam orpolyurethane foam), and elastomer material (e.g. silicone or rubber).The protective layer may insulate the object to be stored or transportedfrom thermal radiation, especially when the content holding unit 130 isremoved from the rest of the container 100.

The covering element 140 is configured to allow access to an opening ofthe container 100 and inside the outer housing member 120. The coveringelement 140 may comprise at least one of: an inner vacuum portion, avacuum insulated panel, aerogel material, phase change material,expanded polyurethane, expanded polystyrene, and polyisocyanurate. Insome embodiments, the covering element may comprise a first removableportion and a second removable portion. The first removable portion maybe configured so as to only allow access to the cavity of the innerhousing member 110 when removed, and the second removable portion may beconfigured so as to allow access to inside the outer housing member 120when removed.

As will be explained in more detail in the following, for example withreference to FIG. 8B, in some alternative embodiments the container 100may be configured to be separable into two parts to allow access to thecavity of the inner housing member 110. In these embodiments, thecontainer 100 may not comprise a covering element.

In some embodiments where the container 100 comprises a covering element140, the content holding unit 130 may be attached to the coveringelement 140 such that when the covering element is removed from the restof the container 100, the content holding unit 130 is removed togetherwith the covering element. This will be explained in more detail withreference to FIG. 12. Furthermore, in some of these embodiments, theinner housing member 110 may comprise an elastic element (e.g. a loadedspring) configured to store elastic energy in an initial state. In theseembodiments, the elastic element is configured to release stored elasticenergy upon actuation to push the content holding unit 130 out of theopening of the container 100. An actuation unit may be provided at thecontainer 100 for actuating the elastic element. In these embodiments,the actuation unit may be integrated with the covering element 140.

Also, in some embodiments where the container 100 comprises a coveringelement 140, the covering element 140 may comprise at least one of: ahook member, a handle, an eyelet member, and a textured surface. Thesecomponents may help a user to grip and remove the covering element moreeasily. For example, a textured surface may be provided at the coveringelement to increase friction between the user's fingers and the coveringelement. This allows an easier removal of the covering element 140 fromthe rest of the container 100.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 1 only shows the components required toillustrate an aspect of the container 100 and, in a practicalimplementation, the container 100 may comprise alternative or additionalcomponents to those shown. For example, the container 100 may furthercomprise a cooling unit. The cooling unit may be configured to reducethe temperature inside the cavity of the inner housing member 110. Inaddition, the cooling unit may be configured to be removablyaccommodated inside the container 100. Hence, the cooling unit can serveas a cooling component that can be placed inside the container 100 incase of emergencies or further cooling effect is required at thecontainer 100. In some embodiments, the cooling unit may be provided asa frozen gel pack, a receptacle for holing ice or ice water, or anelectronic refrigeration unit.

As another example, the container 100 may further comprise a temperaturesensor configured to measure a temperature inside the container 100and/or a display unit configured to display information relating to astatus of the container 100. In some embodiments, the temperature sensormay be any electronic or non-electronic temperature sensing component,such as an electronic thermometer or a temperature-sensitivesticker/strip which utilizes heat-sensitive materials. In someembodiments, more than one temperature sensors may be provided adjacentto different components of the container 100, one of which may beconfigured to measure a temperature of an external environment of thecontainer 100. In some embodiments, the display unit may be provided inthe form of a visual indicator, for example an LED light sourceconfigured to output light in one or more predetermined colors.

The information relating to a status of the container 100 may compriseat least one of: a measured temperature inside the container 100, anestimated preservation time of the object to be stored or transported, anumber of times the container 100 is opened, an estimated amount ofremaining time for maintaining the temperature inside the cavity of theinner housing member 110 within the predetermined temperature range, anda phase of the phase change material of the inner housing member 110.The phase of the phase change material of the inner housing member 110may be determined based on a measured temperature inside the cavity ofthe inner housing member 110. The information relating to a status ofthe container 100 may also further comprise any information relating toa usefulness of the container in maintaining the object to be stored ortransported within the predetermined temperature range.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a temperature-controlled container 100 anda processor according to an embodiment. The temperature-controlledcontainer 100 (herein referred to as “the container”) in this embodimentis similar to that described with reference to FIG. 1 above. Therefore,for the sake of brevity, the description relating to the components ofthe container 100 will be omitted. The processor 200 is for use with thecontainer 100.

The processor 200 is configured to acquire, from the container 100,information relating to at least one of a status of the 100 and a usehistory of the container 100, generating at least one of an alarm and anindication relating to at least one of the status of the container 100and the use history of the container 100, based on the acquiredinformation, and provide at least one of the alarm and the indication toa user. In some embodiments, at least one of an alarm and an indicationmay be generated so as to inform a user to take a dose of medicine,inform a user when a capacity of maintaining the cavity of the innerhousing member within the predetermined temperature range is low, informa user is the covering element is removed for a predetermined amount oftime, or inform a user when the temperature inside the cavity of theinner housing member is not within the predetermined temperature range.

In some embodiments, the acquired information relating to at least oneof a status of the container 100 and a user history of the container 100may comprise a current location of the container 100. Moreover, in theseembodiments, the processor 200 may be configured to provide informationrelating to a nearby medical facility based on the current location ofthe container 100. For example, in some embodiments, the processor 200may provide information such as an address, a contact telephone number,and/or opening hours of a clinic, a hospital, or a pharmacy within thevicinity (e.g. within a 5 km radius) of the container 100. Therefore, auser of the container 100 can receive useful information relating to anearby medical facility for in case of events such as medication runninglow, etc.

In some embodiments, the acquired information relating to at least oneof a status of the container 100 and a user history of the container 100may comprise global positioning system (GPS) data relating to thecontainer 100, weather information, relevant temperature data, datarelating to the covering element of the container 100 (e.g. last timethe covering element was removed), data relating to therapy compliance,etc.

The processor 200 may be implemented in numerous ways, with softwareand/or hardware, to perform the various functions described herein. Theprocessor 200 may comprise one or more microprocessors or digital signalprocessor (DSPs) that may be programmed using software or computerprogram code to perform the required functions and/or to controlcomponents of the processor 200 to effectuate the required functions.The processor 200 may be implemented as a combination of dedicatedhardware to perform some functions (e.g. amplifiers, pre-amplifiers,analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs) and/or digital-to-analogueconverters (DACs)) and a processor (e.g. one or more programmedmicroprocessors, controllers, DSPs and associated circuitry) to performother functions. Examples of components that may be employed in variousembodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to,conventional microprocessors, DSPs, application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

In various implementations, the processor 200 may be associated with orcomprise one or more memory units that comprise any type of memory, suchas cache or system memory including volatile and non-volatile computermemory such as random-access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamicRAM (DRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasablePROM (EPROM), and electrical erasable PROM (EEPROM). The processor 200or associated memory unit can also be used for storing program code thatcan be executed by a processor in the processor 200 to perform thefunctions described herein. In some embodiments, the memory unit canstore spectra of a plurality of macronutrients for comparison with ameasured near-infrared light spectrum at the processor 200.

In some embodiments, a user interface (not shown in the drawing) may beprovided at the container 100. The user interface may be for use inproviding a user of the container 100 with information relating to astatus of the container 100. The processor 200 may be in communicationwith the container 100 and configured to control the user interface toprovide the information relating to a status of the container 100. Theuser interface as referred to herein may be any user interface thatenables the rendering (or output or display) of data (or information) toa user of the container 100. The user interface may comprise displayunit in some embodiments. A display unit may be provided as the userinterface in some embodiments.

Alternatively, or in addition, a user interface as referred to hereinmay be any user interface that enables a user of the container 100 toprovide additional user input, interact with and/or control thecontainer 100. For example, a user interface as referred to herein cancomprise one or more switches, one or more buttons, a keypad, akeyboard, a touch screen or an application (for example, one a tablet orsmartphone), one or more microphones or any other audio component, orany other user interface component, or combination of user interfacecomponents.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic diagrams of an assembledtemperature-controlled container 300 and a dissembled temperaturecontainer 300 respectively, according to another embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 3A, the temperature-controlled container 300(herein referred to as “the container”) comprises an inner housingmember 310, an outer housing member 320, a content holding unit 330, anda covering element 340. The inner housing member 310 defines a cavity,and at least a portion of the inner housing member 310 comprises phasechange material for regulating a temperature inside the cavity within apredetermined temperature range. The outer housing member 320 isconfigured to accommodate and thermally insulate the inner housingmember 310 and comprises an opening 322 which also forms the opening ofthe container 300 itself.

The content holding unit 330 is configured to be removably accommodatedinside the cavity of the inner housing member 310, and it may compriseat least one of: solid polymer, metal, ceramic, and glass. The contentholding unit 330 is further configured to hold an object 350, e.g.perishable contents, to be stored or transported. For example, thecontent holding unit may be configured to hold a medicinal product or afood/drink item. As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the content holdingunit 330 in this embodiment comprises a hook member 332 so as to allowthe content holding unit 330 to be extracted from the container 300 moreeasily by a user.

The hook member 332 is arranged at the top of the content holding unit330, adjacent to the opening 322 at the outer housing member 300.Accordingly, during use of the container 300, a user may grip the hookmember 332 after the covering element 340 is removed so as to extractthe content holding unit 330 from the cavity of the inner housing member310.

The covering element 340 is configured to allow access to the opening322 of the container 300 and inside the outer housing member 320. Inthis embodiment, the covering element 340 comprises phase changematerial such that when the covering element 340 is engaged with theopening 322, a portion of the covering element 320 comprising the phasechange material forms a complete phase change material layer with thephase change material of the inner housing member 310 so as to regulatethe temperature inside the cavity of the inner housing member 310.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 3 only shows the components required toillustrate an aspect of the container 300 and, in a practicalimplementation, the container 300 may comprise alternative or additionalcomponents to those shown.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an implementation of atemperature-controlled container 400 according to an embodiment, andFIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing different states of thetemperature-controlled container 400 of FIG. 4A.

With reference to FIG. 4B, the temperature-controlled container 400(herein referred to as “the container”) comprises an inner housingmember 410, an outer housing member 420, a content holding unit 430, anda covering element 440. In more detail, FIG. 4B illustrates a closedstate of the temperature-controlled container 400, an opened state ofthe temperature-controlled container 400, and a state of the temperaturecontainer 400 in which the inner housing member 410 is being removed.

The inner housing member 410 defines a cavity, and at least a portion ofthe inner housing member 410 comprises phase change material forregulating a temperature inside the cavity within a predeterminedtemperature range. In this embodiment, the inner housing member 410 isremovably accommodated inside the outer housing member 420, asdemonstrated in FIG. 4B. When the covering element 440 is removed, theinner housing member 410 can be extracted from the rest of the container400 (with or without containing the content holding unit 430).Therefore, the temperature regulating property of the phase changematerial of the inner housing member 410 can be restored separately fromthe rest of the container 400 when required. For example, thetemperature regulating property of the phase change material of theinner housing member 410 can be restored by placing the inner housingmember 410 in a cooled environment (e.g. a refrigerator) so as to allowheat energy in the phase change material of the inner housing member 410to be released, or by placing the inner housing member 410 in a heatedenvironment so as to allow the phase change material of the innerhousing member 410 to absorb and store heat energy. The inner housingmember 410 may comprise at least one of a flexible material and adeformable material so as to facilitate the removal of the inner housingmember from the rest of the container 400.

The outer housing member 420 is configured to accommodate and thermallyinsulate the inner housing member 410 and comprises an opening 422 whichalso forms the opening of the container 400 itself. The content holdingunit 430 is configured to be removably accommodated inside the cavity ofthe inner housing member. The content holding unit 430 is furtherconfigured to hold an object 450, e.g. perishable contents, to be storedor transported. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, in this embodiment thecontent holding unit 430 is configured such that when it is accommodatedinside the cavity of the inner housing member 410, an air gap ismaintained between the content holding unit 430 and an inner surface ofthe inner housing member 410. The air gap serves as a further insulationlayer between the object held in the content holding unit 430 and anexternal environment of the container 400. In this embodiment, thecontent holding unit 430 comprises a protective layer which comprises atleast one of: metallized foil material, polymer foam material, andelastomer material.

The covering element 440 is configured to allow access to the opening422 of the container 400 and inside the outer housing member 420. Inthis embodiment, the covering element 440 comprises a phase changematerial portion 442 such that when the covering element 440 is engagedwith the opening 422 and the inner housing member 410 is accommodatedinside the outer housing member 420, the phase change material portion422 forms a complete phase change material layer with the phase changematerial of the inner housing member 410 so as to regulate thetemperature inside the cavity of the inner housing member 410.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B only show the componentsrequired to illustrate an aspect of the container 400 and, in apractical implementation, the container 400 may comprise alternative oradditional components to those shown.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an implementation of atemperature-controlled container 500 according to an embodiment, andFIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing different states of thetemperature-controlled container 500 of FIG. 5A. In more detail, FIG. 5Billustrates a closed state of the temperature-controlled container 500,an opened state of the temperature-controlled container 500, and a stateof the temperature container 500 in which the inner housing member 510is being removed.

The temperature-controlled container 500 as illustrated in FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B is similar to the container 400 of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, with thedifference that the phase change material portion 442 of the coveringelement 440 in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B being provided in a protruding formwhile the phase change material portion 542 of the covering element 540of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B being provided in a recess in the coveringelement 540. Similar to the covering element 440 of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B,the covering element 540 of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B is also configured toallow access to an opening 522 of the container 500 and inside the outerhousing member 520. Moreover, the phase change material portion 542 ofthe covering element 540 of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B is also configured suchthat when the covering element 540 is engaged with the opening 522 andthe inner housing member 510 is accommodated inside the outer housingmember 520, the phase change material portion 522 forms a complete phasechange material layer with the phase change material of the innerhousing member 510 so as to regulate the temperature inside the cavityof the inner housing member 510.

For the sake of brevity, description relating to the other components ofthe temperature-controlled container 500 as illustrated in FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B, i.e. the inner housing member 510, the outer housing member520, and the content holding unit 530 is omitted.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an implementation of atemperature-controlled container 600 according to an embodiment, andFIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing different states of thetemperature-controlled container 600 of FIG. 6A.

With reference to FIG. 6B, the temperature-controlled container 600(herein referred to as “the container”) comprises an inner housingmember 610, an outer housing member 620, a content holding unit 630, anda covering element 640. In more detail, FIG. 6B illustrates a closedstate of the temperature-controlled container 600, an opened state ofthe temperature-controlled container 600, and a state of the temperaturecontainer 600 in which the inner housing member 610 is being removed.

The inner housing member 610 defines a cavity, and at least a portion ofthe inner housing member 610 comprises phase change material forregulating a temperature inside the cavity within a predeterminedtemperature range. In this embodiment, the inner housing member 610 isremovably accommodated inside the outer housing member 620, asdemonstrated in FIG. 6B. When the covering element 640 is removed, theinner housing member 610 can be extracted from the rest of the container600 (with or without containing the content holding unit 630).Therefore, the temperature regulating property of the phase changematerial of the inner housing member 610 can be restored separately fromthe rest of the container 600 when required. For example, thetemperature regulating property of the phase change material of theinner housing member 610 can be restored by placing the inner housingmember 610 in a cooled environment so as to allow heat energy in thephase change material of the inner housing member 610 to be released, orby placing the inner housing member 610 in a heated environment so as toallow the phase change material of the inner housing member 610 toabsorb and store heat energy. The inner housing member 610 may compriseat least one of a flexible material and a deformable material so as tofacilitate the removal of the inner housing member from the rest of thecontainer 600.

The outer housing member 620 is configured to accommodate and thermallyinsulate the inner housing member 610. As mentioned above, the outerhousing member 620 comprises an opening 622. The content holding unit630 is configured to be removably accommodated inside the cavity of theinner housing member. The content holding unit 630 is further configuredto hold an object 650, e.g. perishable contents, to be stored ortransported. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, in this embodiment the contentholding unit 630 is configured such that when it is accommodated insidethe cavity of the inner housing member 610, an air gap is maintainedbetween the content holding unit 630 and an inner surface of the innerhousing member 610. The air gap serves as a further insulation layerbetween the object held in the content holding unit 630 and an externalenvironment of the container 600. In this embodiment, the contentholding unit 630 comprises a protective layer which comprises at leastone of: metallized foil material, polymer foam material, and elastomermaterial.

The covering element 640 is configured to allow access to an opening ofthe container 600 and inside the outer housing member 620. In thisembodiment, the covering element 640 comprises a first removable portion642 and a second removable portion 644. The first removable portion 642is configured so as to only allow access to the cavity of the innerhousing member 610 when removed, and the second removable portion 644 isconfigured so as to allow access to inside the outer housing member 620when removed.

Moreover, in this embodiment the first removable portion 642 of thecovering element 640 comprises phase change material such that when thecovering element 640 is engaged with the opening 622 and the innerhousing member 610 is accommodated inside the outer housing member 620,a portion of the first removable portion 642 comprising the phase changematerial forms a complete phase change material layer with the phasechange material of the inner housing member 610 so as to regulate thetemperature inside the cavity of the inner housing member 610.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B only show the componentsrequired to illustrate an aspect of the container 600 and, in apractical implementation, the container 600 may comprise alternative oradditional components to those shown.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an implementation of atemperature-controlled container 700 according to an embodiment, andFIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing different states of thetemperature-controlled container 700 of FIG. 7A.

With reference to FIG. 7B, the temperature-controlled container 700(herein referred to as “the container”) comprises an inner housingmember 710, an outer housing member 720, a content holding unit 730, anda covering element 740. In more detail, FIG. 7B illustrates a closedstate of the temperature-controlled container 700, an opened state ofthe temperature-controlled container 700, and a state of the temperaturecontainer 700 in which the inner housing member 710 is being removed.

The inner housing member 710 defines a cavity, and at least a portion ofthe inner housing member 710 comprises phase change material forregulating a temperature inside the cavity within a predeterminedtemperature range. In this embodiment, the inner housing member 710 isremovably accommodated inside the outer housing member 720. Moreover,the inner housing member 710 comprises flexible and/or deformablematerial, as demonstrated in FIG. 7B, so as to facilitate removal of theinner housing member 710 out of a (smaller) opening 722 formed in theouter housing member 720.

When the covering element 740 is removed, the inner housing member 710can be extracted from the rest of the container 700. Therefore, thetemperature regulating property of the phase change material of theinner housing member 710 can be restored separately from the rest of thecontainer 700 when required. For example, the temperature regulatingproperty of the phase change material of the inner housing member 710can be restored by placing the inner housing member 710 in a cooledenvironment so as to allow heat energy in the phase change material ofthe inner housing member 710 to be released, or by placing the innerhousing member 710 in a heated environment so as to allow the phasechange material of the inner housing member 710 to absorb and store heatenergy.

The outer housing member 720 is configured to accommodate and thermallyinsulate the inner housing member 710. As mentioned above, the outerhousing member 720 comprises an opening 722. The content holding unit730 is configured to be removably accommodated inside the cavity of theinner housing member.

The content holding unit 730 is further configured to hold an object750, e.g. perishable contents, to be stored or transported. Asillustrated in FIG. 7B, in this embodiment the content holding unit 730is configured such that when it is accommodated inside the cavity of theinner housing member 710, an air gap is maintained between the contentholding unit 730 and an inner surface of the inner housing member 710.The air gap serves as a further insulation layer between the object heldin the content holding unit 730 and an external environment of thecontainer 700. In this embodiment, the content holding unit 730comprises a protective layer which comprises at least one of: metallizedfoil material, polymer foam material, and elastomer material.

The covering element 740 is configured to allow access to an opening ofthe container 700 and inside the outer housing member 720. In thisembodiment, the covering element 740 comprises phase change materialsuch that when the covering element 740 is engaged with the opening 722and the inner housing member 710 is accommodated inside the outerhousing member 720, a portion of the covering element 720 comprising thephase change material forms a complete phase change material layer withthe phase change material of the inner housing member 710 so as toregulate the temperature inside the cavity of the inner housing member710.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B only show the componentsrequired to illustrate an aspect of the container 700 and, in apractical implementation, the container 700 may comprise alternative oradditional components to those shown.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an implementation of atemperature-controlled container 800 according to an embodiment, andFIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing different states of thetemperature-controlled container 800 of FIG. 8A.

With reference to FIG. 8B, the temperature-controlled container 800(herein referred to as “the container”) comprises an inner housingmember 810, an outer housing member 820, and a content holding unit 830.In more detail, FIG. 8B illustrates a closed state of thetemperature-controlled container 800, an opened state of thetemperature-controlled container 800, and a state of the temperaturecontainer 800 in which the inner housing member 810 is being removed.

The inner housing member 810 defines a cavity, and at least a portion ofthe inner housing member 810 comprises phase change material forregulating a temperature inside the cavity within a predeterminedtemperature range. The outer housing member 820 is configured toaccommodate and thermally insulate the inner housing member 810.

In this embodiment, the inner housing member 810 is configured to beseparable into two parts 812, 814 and the outer housing member 820 isalso configured to be separable into two parts 822, 824, so as to allowaccess to the cavity of the inner housing member 810. Moreover, the twoparts 812, 814 of the inner housing member 810 are respectively andremovably accommodated inside the two parts 822, 824 of the outerhousing member 820, as demonstrated in FIG. 8B.

When the outer housing member 820 is separated into two parts 822, 824,the inner housing member 810 can be extracted from the rest of thecontainer 800. Therefore, the temperature regulating property of thephase change material of the inner housing member 810 can be restoredseparately from the rest of the container 800 when required. Forexample, the temperature regulating property of the phase changematerial of the inner housing member 810 can be restored by placing theinner housing member 810 in a cooled environment so as to allow heatenergy in the phase change material of the inner housing member 810 tobe released, or by placing the inner housing member 810 in a heatedenvironment so as to allow the phase change material of the innerhousing member 810 to absorb and store heat energy. The inner housingmember 810 may comprise at least one of a flexible material and adeformable material so as to facilitate the removal of the inner housingmember from the rest of the container 800.

The content holding unit 830 is configured to be removably accommodatedinside the cavity of the inner housing member 810. The content holdingunit 830 is further configured to hold an object 850, e.g. perishablecontents, to be stored or transported. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, inthis embodiment the content holding unit 830 is configured such thatwhen it is accommodated inside the cavity of the inner housing member810, an air gap is maintained between the content holding unit 830 andan inner surface of the inner housing member 810. The air gap serves asa further insulation layer between the object held in the contentholding unit 830 and an external environment of the container 800. Inthis embodiment, the content holding unit 830 comprises a protectivelayer which comprises at least one of: metallized foil material, polymerfoam material, and elastomer material.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B only show the componentsrequired to illustrate an aspect of the container 800 and, in apractical implementation, the container 800 may comprise alternative oradditional components to those shown.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing different states of atemperature-controlled container 900 according to another embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 9, the temperature-controlled container 900(herein referred to as “the container”) comprises an inner housingmember 910, an outer housing member 920, a content holding unit 930, anda covering element 940. In more detail, FIG. 9 illustrates a closedstate of the temperature-controlled container 900, an opened state ofthe temperature-controlled container 900, and a state of the contentholding unit 930 in a released state.

The inner housing member 910 defines a cavity, and at least a portion ofthe inner housing member 910 comprises phase change material forregulating a temperature inside the cavity within a predeterminedtemperature range. The outer housing member 920 is configured toaccommodate and thermally insulate the inner housing member 910 andcomprises an opening which also serves as the opening of the container900.

The content holding unit 930 is configured to be removably accommodatedinside the cavity of the inner housing member. The content holding unit930 is further configured to hold an object 950 to be stored ortransported. For example, the content holding unit may be configured tohold a medicinal product or a food/drink item. In this embodiment, thecontent holding unit 930 further comprises an elastic holding unit, i.e.a spring-loaded bracket, configured to hold the object 950 to be storedor transported when in a biased state, and to release the object to bestored or transported when in an unbiased state. As shown in FIG. 9, theelastic holding unit is in a biased state when the content holding unit930 is inside the cavity of the inner housing member 910. When thecontent holding unit 930 is extracted from the container 900, theelastic holding unit of the content holding unit 930 is no longer biasedand therefore releases the object 950.

Moreover, the content holding unit 930 in this embodiment comprises ahook member 932 so as to allow the content holding unit 930 to beextracted from the container 900 more easily by a user. The hook member932 is arranged at the top of the content holding unit 930, adjacent tothe opening at the outer housing member 900. Accordingly, during use ofthe container 900, a user may grip the hook member 932 after thecovering element 940 is removed so as to extract the content holdingunit 930 from the cavity of the inner housing member 910.

The covering element 940 is configured to allow access to the opening ofthe container 900 and inside the outer housing member 920. In thisembodiment, the covering element 940 comprises a phase change materialportion such that when the covering element 940 is engaged with theopening of the container 900 and the inner housing member 910 isaccommodated inside the outer housing member 920, the phase changematerial portion forms a complete phase change material layer with thephase change material of the inner housing member 910 so as to regulatethe temperature inside the cavity of the inner housing member 910.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 9 only shows the components required toillustrate an aspect of the container 900 and, in a practicalimplementation, the container 900 may comprise alternative or additionalcomponents to those shown.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing different states of atemperature-controlled container 1000 according to another embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 10, the temperature-controlled container 1000(herein referred to as “the container”) comprises an inner housingmember 1010, an outer housing member 1020, a content holding unit 1030,and a covering element 1040. In more detail, FIG. 10 illustrates aclosed state of the temperature-controlled container 1000, an openedstate of the temperature-controlled container 1000, and a state of thecontent holding unit 1030 in a released state.

The inner housing member 1010 defines a cavity, and at least a portionof the inner housing member 1010 comprises phase change material forregulating a temperature inside the cavity within a predeterminedtemperature range. The outer housing member 1020 is configured toaccommodate and thermally insulate the inner housing member 1010 andcomprises an opening which also serves as the opening of the container1000.

The content holding unit 1030 is configured to be removably accommodatedinside the cavity of the inner housing member. The content holding unit1030 is further configured to hold an object 1050 to be stored ortransported. For example, the content holding unit may be configured tohold a medicinal product or a food/drink item. In this embodiment, thecontent holding unit 1030 further comprises a protective layer. Theprotective layer comprises a metallised foil material which may befolded to contain the object 1050 and unfolded to release the object1050, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

Moreover, the content holding unit 1030 in this embodiment comprises ahook member 1032 so as to allow the content holding unit 1030 to beextracted from the container 1000 more easily by a user. The hook member1032 is arranged at the top of the content holding unit 1030, adjacentto the opening at the outer housing member 1020. Accordingly, during useof the container 1000, a user may grip the hook member 1032 after thecovering element 1040 is removed so as to extract the content holdingunit 1030 from the cavity of the inner housing member 1010.

The covering element 1040 is configured to allow access to the openingof the container 1000 and inside the outer housing member 1020. In thisembodiment, the covering element 1040 comprises a phase change materialportion such that when the covering element 1040 is engaged with theopening of the container 1000 and the inner housing member 1010 isaccommodated inside the outer housing member 1020, the phase changematerial portion forms a complete phase change material layer with thephase change material of the inner housing member 1010 so as to regulatethe temperature inside the cavity of the inner housing member 1010.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 10 only shows the components requiredto illustrate an aspect of the container 1000 and, in a practicalimplementation, the container 1000 may comprise alternative oradditional components to those shown.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing different states of atemperature-controlled container 1100 according to another embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 11, the temperature-controlled container 1100(herein referred to as “the container”) comprises an inner housingmember 1110, an outer housing member 1120, a content holding unit 1130,and a covering element 1040. In more detail, FIG. 11 illustrates aclosed state of the temperature-controlled container 1100, an openedstate of the temperature-controlled container 1100, and a state of thecontent holding unit 1130 in a released state.

The inner housing member 1010 defines a cavity, and at least a portionof the inner housing member 1110 comprises phase change material forregulating a temperature inside the cavity within a predeterminedtemperature range. The outer housing member 1120 is configured toaccommodate and thermally insulate the inner housing member 1110 andcomprises an opening which also serves as the opening of the container1100.

The content holding unit 1130 is configured to be removably accommodatedinside the cavity of the inner housing member. The content holding unit1130 is further configured to hold an object 1150 to be stored ortransported. For example, the content holding unit may be configured tohold a medicinal product or a food/drink item. In this embodiment, thecontent holding unit 1130 is comprises a recess portion such that theobject can be secured at the content holding unit 1130 by beingaccommodated in the recess portion. Moreover, the content holding unit1130 in this embodiment comprises a hook member 1132 so as to allow thecontent holding unit 1130 to be extracted from the container 1100 moreeasily by a user. The hook member 1132 is arranged at the top of thecontent holding unit 1130, adjacent to the opening at the outer housingmember 1120. Accordingly, during use of the container 1100, a user maygrip the hook member 1132 after the covering element 1140 is removed soas to extract the content holding unit 1130 from the cavity of the innerhousing member 1110.

The covering element 1140 is configured to allow access to the openingof the container 1100 and inside the outer housing member 1120. In thisembodiment, the covering element 1140 comprises a phase change materialportion such that when the covering element 1140 is engaged with theopening of the container and the inner housing member 1110 isaccommodated inside the outer housing member 1120, the phase changematerial portion forms a complete phase change material layer with thephase change material of the inner housing member 1110 so as to regulatethe temperature inside the cavity of the inner housing member 1110.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 11 only shows the components requiredto illustrate an aspect of the container 1100 and, in a practicalimplementation, the container 1100 may comprise alternative oradditional components to those shown.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing different states of atemperature-controlled container 1200 according to another embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 12, the temperature-controlled container 1200(herein referred to as “the container”) comprises an inner housingmember 1210, an outer housing member 1220, a content holding unit 1230,and a covering element 1240. In more detail, FIG. 12 illustrates aclosed state of the temperature-controlled container 1200 and an openedstate of the temperature-controlled container 1200.

The inner housing member 1210 defines a cavity, and at least a portionof the inner housing member 1210 comprises phase change material forregulating a temperature inside the cavity within a predeterminedtemperature range. The outer housing member 1220 is configured toaccommodate and thermally insulate the inner housing member 1210 andcomprises an opening which also serves as the opening of the container1200.

The content holding unit 1230 is configured to be removably accommodatedinside the cavity of the inner housing member 1210. The content holdingunit 1230 is further configured to hold an object 1250 to be stored ortransported. For example, the content holding unit may be configured tohold a medicinal product or a food/drink item. In this embodiment, thecontent holding unit 1230 is comprises a recess portion such that theobject can be secured at the content holding unit 1230 by beingaccommodated in the recess portion.

The covering element 1240 is configured to allow access to the openingof the container 1200 and inside the outer housing member 1220. In thisembodiment, the covering element 1240 comprises a phase change materialportion such that when the covering element 1240 is engaged with theopening of the container and the inner housing member 1210 isaccommodated inside the outer housing member 1220, the phase changematerial portion forms a complete phase change material layer with thephase change material of the inner housing member 1210 so as to regulatethe temperature inside the cavity of the inner housing member 1210. Inaddition, in this embodiment the covering element 1240 comprises a hookmember 1242 which helps a user to grip and remove the covering element1240 more easily.

Moreover, the content holding unit 1230 in this embodiment is attachedto the covering element 1240 such that when the covering element 1240 isremoved from the rest of the container 1200, the content holding unit1230 is removed together with the covering element 1240. Hence, thecontent holding unit 1230 can be extracted from the container 1200 in astraightforward manner.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 12 only shows the components requiredto illustrate an aspect of the container 1200 and, in a practicalimplementation, the container 1200 may comprise alternative oradditional components to those shown.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing different states of atemperature-controlled container 1300 according to another embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 13, the temperature-controlled container 1300(herein referred to as “the container”) comprises an inner housingmember 1310, an outer housing member 1320, a content holding unit 1330,and a covering element 1340. In more detail, FIG. 13 illustrates aclosed state of the temperature-controlled container 1300 and an openedstate of the temperature-controlled container 1300.

The inner housing member 1310 defines a cavity, and at least a portionof the inner housing member 1310 comprises phase change material forregulating a temperature inside the cavity within a predeterminedtemperature range. The outer housing member 1320 is configured toaccommodate and thermally insulate the inner housing member 1310 andcomprises an opening which also serves as the opening of the container1300.

The content holding unit 1330 is configured to be removably accommodatedinside the cavity of the inner housing member 1310. The content holdingunit 1330 is further configured to hold an object 1350 to be stored ortransported. For example, the content holding unit may be configured tohold a medicinal product or a food/drink item. In this embodiment, thecontent holding unit 1330 is comprises a recess portion such that theobject can be secured at the content holding unit 1330 by beingaccommodated in the recess portion.

The covering element 1340 is configured to allow access to the openingof the container 1300 and inside the outer housing member 1320. In thisembodiment, the covering element 1340 comprises a phase change materialportion such that when the covering element 1340 is engaged with theopening of the container and the inner housing member 1310 isaccommodated inside the outer housing member 1320, the phase changematerial portion forms a complete phase change material layer with thephase change material of the inner housing member 1310 so as to regulatethe temperature inside the cavity of the inner housing member 1310.Moreover, the content holding unit 1330 in this embodiment is attachedto the covering element 1340 such that when the covering element 1340 isremoved from the rest of the container 1300, the content holding unit1330 is removed together with the covering element 1340.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner housing member 1310 comprisesan elastic element 1360 (e.g. a loaded spring) configured to storeelastic energy in an initial state. In more detail, in this embodimentthe elastic element 1360 is in the initial state when the contentholding unit 1330 is inside the cavity of the inner housing member 1310,and the elastic element 1360 is configured to release the stored elasticenergy when triggered by actuation of the covering element 1340. Whenthe covering element 1340 is depressed (i.e. towards the cavity of theinner housing member 1310), the stored elastic energy is released so asto push the content holding unit 1330 out of the opening of thecontainer 1300. Hence, the content holding unit 1330 can be extractedfrom the container 1300 in a straightforward manner by depressing thecovering element 1340 and triggering the release of stored elasticenergy in the elastic element 1360.

It will be appreciated that FIG. 13 only shows the components requiredto illustrate an aspect of the container 1300 and, in a practicalimplementation, the container 1300 may comprise alternative oradditional components to those shown.

FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment of a temperature-controlled container1400, shown in cross section in FIG. 15. The temperature-controlledcontainer 1400 has an inner housing member 1410, an outer housing member1420, a content holding unit 1430, a top covering element 1440 and abottom closure 1450.

The outer housing member 1420 is a metal casing, e.g., of aluminum. Amiddle section of the outer housing member 1420 is covered by a band1421 for providing comfortable grip, e.g., of a silicon material. Thisband 1421 is provided with an opening 1422 holding a display 1423, e.g.,for temperature information. At one side the band 1421 is provided witha strap 1424, e.g., of leather or a plastic material. This strap 1424can be used for attaching the temperature-controlled container 1400, forexample to a belt of a bag.

FIGS. 16A-D show consecutive steps of the process of assembling theouter container. The outer container comprises a lower part 1425 and anupper part 1426 held together by a cylindrical metal inner sleeve 1427tightly fitting within the upper and lower parts 1425, 1426. The lowerpart 1425 is provided with a latch 1428 forming a snap fit connectionwith a matching opening in the sleeve 1427. The upper part is providedwith a matching recess (not shown) fully receiving the latch 1428, sothe latch does not space the upper part from the lower part when theouter housing member is assembled. This way the latch prevents relativerotation or sliding of the upper and lower parts 1425, 1426. The upperpart 1426 is connected to the sleeve 1427 with a similar snap fitconnection (not shown). Other connections, such as a screw connection,can also be used. The metal sleeve 1427 holds the upper and lower parts1425, 1426 constrained and coaxially aligned.

In a first step, the sleeve 1427 is fitted into the lower part 1425(FIG. 16A) until the latch 1427 snaps into the corresponding opening toform the snap fit connection (FIG. 16B). In a next step the upper part1426 is slid over the top end of the sleeve 1427 to form the second snapfit connection (FIG. 16C). In this position the upper part 1426 abutsthe top edge of the lower part 1425.

The upper section 1431 of the lower part 1425 is recessed and comprisesa semi-circular wall 1432 with an open side at the top edge of the lowerpart 1425. Similarly, the lower section 1433 of the upper part 1426 isrecessed and also has a semi-circular wall 1434 of the same heightmirroring the semi-circular wall 1432 of the lower part 1425. When theouter housing 1420 is assembled, the upper and lower parts 1425, 1426are aligned in such manner that the two recessed sections 1431, 1433connect to form a recess for receiving the silicon band 1421 and the twosemi-circular walls 1432, 1434 form the cylindrical opening 1422 forreceiving the electronic display 1423 (FIG. 16D).

Both the lower part 1425 and the upper part 1426 comprise a coaxialcylindrical collar 1435, 1436 projecting inwardly into the interior ofthe outer housing, as particularly shown in FIGS. 16C and D. The lowercollar 1435 of the lower part 1425 has a larger diameter than the uppercollar 1436 of the upper part 1426. Both collars 1435, 1436 have astepped configuration. Both collars 1435, 1436 are provided withrecesses 1437 providing a bayonet catch.

In the assembled state of the temperature-controlled container 1400 thecoaxial opening in the lower part 1425 is closed by the bottom closure1450. The central coaxial opening in the upper part 1426 of the outerhousing 1420 is closed by the covering element 1440.

FIG. 17 shows the bottom closure 1450 in cross section. The bottomclosure 1450 is shaped and sized to fit within the coaxial collar 1435of the lower part 1425, such that the bottom closure 1450 is flush withthe adjacent surface of the outer housing 1420. The bottom closure 1450has a hollow chamber 1451 formed by a hollow case 1452 with an open sidewhich is covered by a bottom lid plate 1453 defining the lower outersurface of the assembled temperature-controlled container 1400. Thebottom lid plate 1453 is snap fitted onto the open side of the case 1452of the bottom closure 1450.

The case 1452 of the bottom closure 1450 has a cylindrical outer surfaceprovided with sealing rings 1454 and projections (not shown)functionally cooperative with the bayonet catch slots 1437 of the lowerpart 1425 of the outer housing 1420.

The coaxial collar 1436 in the upper part 1426 of the outer housing 1420is designed to receive the covering element 1440.

The covering element 1440 is shown in cross section in FIG. 15. Like thebottom closure 1450, the covering element 1440 comprises a hollow case1441 with an open side covered by a top lid 1442, profiled to form agrip 1443 for a user's fingers. The top lid 1442 is snap fitted onto thehollow case 1441 and forms the top surface of the assembledtemperature-controlled container 1400.

The case 1441 of the top covering element 1440 has a cylindrical outersurface provided with projections functionally cooperative with thebayonet catch slots 1437 of the upper collar 1436 of the upper part 1426of the outer housing 1420.

The top covering element 1440 has a radial surface 1444 opposite to theprofiled top cover plate 1442. This radial surface 1444 is connected tothe cylindrical content holding unit 1430 for holding the medicines orother perishable content. The top covering element 1440 is removablefrom the content holding unit 1430 allowing the user to consume thecooled contents. The connection between the top covering element 1440and the content holding unit 1430 can for example be magnetic or one ofthe parts can be provided with a T-shaped slider to be received in aslider of a matching shape on the other part.

As shown in FIG. 15, the temperature-controlled container 1400 furthercomprises a cylindrical insulating jacket 1460 attached to the interiorwall of the outer housing 1420. The jacket 1460 comprises a lower edge1461 in an annular bottom space 1462 between the cylindrical collar 1435of the lower part and the surrounding outer wall of the outer housing. Atop edge 1463 of the jacket 1460 extends in the annular top space 1464between the cylindrical collar 1436 of the upper part 1426 and thesurrounding outer wall of the outer housing 1420. Since the cylindricalcollar 1436 of the upper part 1426 has a smaller diameter than thecylindrical collar 1435 of the lower part 1425, the annular top space1464 is broader than the annular bottom space 1462. To fill this broaderspace, an annular insulating body 1465 is used to with a flat lower side1466.

The cylindrical inner housing member 1410 is locked between the flatlower side 1466 of the annular insulating body 1465 and an opposite partof the bottom closure 1450. The inner housing member 1410 is a doublewalled cylinder containing a phase change material between its doublewalls. When the bottom closure 1450 is removed, the inner housing member1410 can be removed.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show a further embodiment of a temperature-controlledcontainer 1500, similar to the embodiment of FIG. 15. However, in thisembodiment, the content holding unit 1510 comprises two ampules 1511,1512. The ampules 1511, 1512 are cylindrical but alternatively they canhave any suitable elongated shape. The ampules 1511, 1512 are connectedto a central carrier 1513, for instance a carrier plate extending inaxial and radial direction relative to a central axis of the assembledcontainer 1500. In the shown embodiment the ampules 1511, 1512 areconnected to the carrier plate 1513 by means of releasable straps 1514.Other suitable connections can also be used, if so desired. The carrierplate 1513 has a top end connected to the top covering element 1540 in areleasable manner. In the shown embodiment, the top covering element1540 is connected to the carrier plate 1513 by means of cooperatingsliding elements 1515, 1516.

FIGS. 20A-D shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of atemperature-controlled container 2000 having a tubular outer housing2020 with an open top side 2021 and an open bottom side 2022. Theopening at the top side has a smaller diameter, resulting in an inwardlyprojecting flange 2023.

The container 2000 further comprises a top covering element 2040 forclosing the top end opening 2021 and a bottom closure 2050 for closingthe bottom end opening 2022. A tubular, cylindrical inner housing member2010 comprising a phase change material fits within the interior of theouter housing member 2020 and abuts the inwardly projecting flange 2023.After positioning the inner housing member 2010 within the outer housingmember 2020, the bottom closure 2050 can be placed to close off thebottom end opening 2022 and to lock the inner housing member 2010 withinthe outer housing member 2020. The top covering element 2040 carries acontent holding unit 2030 fitting within the interior of the innerhousing member 2010. The content holding unit 2030 can be slid into theinterior of the inner housing member 2010 until the top covering element2040 closes off the open top end 2021 (FIG. 20B).

When a user wants to take some of the cooled content, he can release andlift the top covering element 2040 together with the content holdingunit 2030 (FIG. 20C).

After removal of the bottom closure 2050 (FIG. 20D), the inner housingmember 2010 can be removed from the outer housing member 2020, so it canbe cooled again in a refrigerator or a similar cooling device.

The top covering element 2040 is provided with an insulating top part2041 projecting into the inner housing member 2010 and closing off thetop end of the inner housing member 2010 when the top covering element2040 is in its closing position, as shown in FIG. 20B. Similarly, thebottom closure 2050 is provided with an insulating bottom part 2051projecting into the inner housing member 2010 and closing off the openbottom end of the inner housing member 2010 when the bottom lid is inits closing position. Optionally, the insulating top and bottom parts2041, 2051 may at least partly comprise a phase change material. Thisway the content holding unit 2030 is fully enclosed by phase changematerial. Alternatively, the insulating top and bottom parts 2041, 2051may be of another type thermally insulating material, such as a foamedplastic material, e.g., expanded polystyrene or polyurethane.

The phase change material of the inner housing member, or of any otherpart, of any embodiment may comprise one or more spreaders to optimizeheat distribution. The spreader can for instance be a thermallyconductive element in thermally conductive contact with the phase changematerial. For example, the spreader can be a metal mesh or sleeveembedded in the phase change material. Such spreaders are particularlyuseful where the inner housing member is closed by a part comprising aninsulating material other than a phase change material.

There is also provided a computer program product comprising a computerreadable medium, the computer readable medium having computer readablecode embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured suchthat, on execution by a suitable computer or processor, the computer orprocessor is caused to perform the method or methods described herein.Thus, it will be appreciated that the disclosure also applies tocomputer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier,adapted to put embodiments into practice. The program may be in the formof a source code, an object code, a code intermediate source and anobject code such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other formsuitable for use in the implementation of the method according to theembodiments described herein.

It will also be appreciated that such a program may have many differentarchitectural designs. For example, a program code implementing thefunctionality of the method or system may be sub-divided into one ormore sub-routines. Many different ways of distributing the functionalityamong these sub-routines will be apparent to the skilled person. Thesub-routines may be stored together in one executable file to form aself-contained program. Such an executable file may comprisecomputer-executable instructions, for example, processor instructionsand/or interpreter instructions (e.g. Java interpreter instructions).Alternatively, one or more or all of the sub-routines may be stored inat least one external library file and linked with a main program eitherstatically or dynamically, e.g. at run-time. The main program containsat least one call to at least one of the sub-routines. The sub-routinesmay also comprise function calls to each other.

An embodiment relating to a computer program product comprisescomputer-executable instructions corresponding to each processing stageof at least one of the methods set forth herein. These instructions maybe sub-divided into sub-routines and/or stored in one or more files thatmay be linked statically or dynamically. Another embodiment relating toa computer program product comprises computer-executable instructionscorresponding to each means of at least one of the systems and/orproducts set forth herein. These instructions may be sub-divided intosub-routines and/or stored in one or more files that may be linkedstatically or dynamically.

The carrier of a computer program may be any entity or device capable ofcarrying the program. For example, the carrier may include a datastorage, such as a ROM, for example, a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, ora magnetic recording medium, for example, a hard disk. Furthermore, thecarrier may be a transmissible carrier such as an electric or opticalsignal, which may be conveyed via electric or optical cable or by radioor other means. When the program is embodied in such a signal, thecarrier may be constituted by such a cable or other device or means.Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which theprogram is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform, orused in the performance of, the relevant method.

Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effectedby those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from astudy of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In theclaims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps,and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Themere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually differentdependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measurescannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope.

1. A temperature controlled container comprising: an inner housingmember defining a cavity, wherein at least a portion of the innerhousing member comprises phase change material for regulating atemperature inside the cavity within a predetermined temperature range;an outer housing member configured to accommodate and thermally insulatethe inner housing member; and a content holding unit configured to beremovably accommodated inside the cavity of the inner housing member,wherein the content holding unit is configured to hold an object to bestored or transported, wherein the inner housing member is a tubularinner housing member with an open top end and an open bottom end,wherein the outer housing member comprises an open bottom end allowingremoval of the inner housing member.
 2. The temperature controlledcontainer of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a bottom closurefor closing off the open bottom ends of the inner housing member and theouter housing member.
 3. The temperature controlled container of claim2, wherein the container comprises a top covering element for closingoff the open top ends of the inner housing member and the outer housingmember.
 4. The temperature controlled container of claim 3, wherein thebottom closure and/or the top covering element comprise insulating partsclosing off the interior of the inner housing member.
 5. The temperaturecontrolled container of claim 4, wherein the insulating part of thebottom closure and/or the top covering element comprises a phase changematerial.
 6. The temperature controlled container according to claim 1,further comprising at least one spreader in thermally conductive contactwith the phase change material.
 7. The temperature controlled containerof claim 6, wherein the spreader is at least partly embedded in thephase change material.
 8. The temperature controlled container of claim6, wherein the spreader comprises a metal mesh or plate.